Apparatus for panning and/or tilting motion picture apparatus



Aug. 18, 1942. c, sKm ETAL 2,293,207

APPARATUS FOR PANNING AND/OR TILTING MOTION PICTURE APPARATUS Filed Aug.25, 1959 15 Sheets-Shet 1 INVENTOR5 51020! C. HASKIN ALBERT W. TcwaemuHEP/WAN C. Mum anc/v g-18,19 2. B. c HASKIN Em 2,293 207 APPARATUS FORPANNING AND/OR TiLTING MOTION PICTURE APPARATUS Filed Aug. 25, 1939 15Sheets-Sheet 2 1N VENTOR5 Brmv C. Has/(0v ALAERT w. Tan/P125790 BYHEAMM/ c. MUHLBACH PY/LUAM FAR/v07 W ATTORNEY.

.Aug. 18, 1942. B. HASKIN ETAL APPARATUS FOR PANNING AND/OR TILTINGMOTION PICTURE APPARATUS l5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Aug. 25, 1939 m w M f vw p a 2 M a a Q a 4 M 0 1 M2 3 H E 5 5 .H l u w m M INVENTORS YPOIVHAsIr/N 2 m w -2:, BY 93 2 4 F' 0 7 ATTORNEY Aug. 18, 1942. a. c. HASKINETAL APPARATUS FOR PANNING AND/OR TILTING MOTION PICTURE APPARATUS l5Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Aug. 25, 1939 INVENTORS BYIPaN C. Man/N MEET WTONDPEAU BY HEPMAA gMl HMH WILL/AM .A/P/VPT ATTORNEY APPARATUS FORPANNING AND/OR TILTING MOTION PICTURE APPARATUS B. c HASKIN EI'AL 15Sheets-Sheat 8 Filed Aug. 25, 1959 FIELZ 8.

BY Hm? ATTORNEY r w F A I z A mf lulll ||L||4| l I I M J I E 1 Wm 1 t n.E F m f r P w x J r 1 2 (x 13,1942- B. c. HASKIN El AL 2,293,207"

APPARATUS FOR PANNING AND/OR TILTING MOTION PICTURE APPARATUS FiledAug.v 25, 1959 15 Sheets-Sheet 9 Y WM MurggAc/v ATTORNE B. C. HASKINETAL APPARATUS FOR PANNING AND/OR TIL'IING MOTION PICTURE APPARATUSFiled Aug. 25, 1959 15 Sheets-Sheet 10 ATTORNEY Aug. 18, 1942.

B. c. HASKIN ETAL 2,293,207

APPARATUS FOR PANNING AND/OR TILTING MOTION PICTURE APPARATUS Filed Aug.25, 1939 15 Sheets-Sheet l1 F'IEJSE.

IN v WWW wtkrm TI'ORNEY 1942- B. c. HAS'KIN ETAL 2,293,207

APPARATUS FOR PANNING AND/OR TILTING MOTION PICTURE APPARATUS Filed Aug.25, 1939 '15 Sheets-Sheet 12 INV NTOR S M-TTTORNEY" J Aug. 18, 1942. a.c. HASKIN ETAL APPARATUS FOR PANNING AND/OR TILTING MOTION PICTUREAPPARATUS Filed Aug. *25, 1939 15 Sheets-Sheet 15 FIEAE.

n E w m /J F E 4 .JT 7 a; 4 M m INVENTOR5 firm C. Hnmu ALBCRT W 7b/vmnwHremwc Mumwn Mum FAQ/var ATTORNEY.

8,19 2- B. c. HASKIN HAL 2,293,201

APPARATUS FOR PANNING AND/OR TILTING MOTION PICTURE APPARATUS Filed Aug.25, 1959 15 Sheets-Sheet 14 ATTORNEY.

Aug. 18, 1942. a. c. HASKIN ETAL APPARATUS FOR PANNING AND/OR TILTINGMOTION PICTURE APPARATUS Filed Aug. 25, 1939 15 Sheets-Sheet l5IINVENTORS Draw/v C. man/M ALsnz-r W Town-Au BY Hzwmv C. NUHLBACH mmFAR/V07 ATTORNEY.

Patented Aug. 18, 1942 arrsaa'rus FORPANNING AND/R 'rmrme MOTIONrro'rnaa APPARATUS Byron C. Haskin and Albert W. Tondreau, BeverlyHills, and Herman (L'Muhlbach and William Frederick Arndt, Los Angeies,Calii'., assignors to Warner Bros. Pictures, Inc., New York, N. Y., acorporation of Delaware Application August 25. 1939, Serial No. 291,884

37 Claims.

This invention relates to motion-picture apparatus and has particularreference to apparatus for automatically or manually panning and/ortilting a camera, projector or the like motion picture apparatus.

One object of the invention is to move a motion picture apparatus in apredetermined path.

A further object of the invention is to pan and/or tilt a motion pictureapparatus in a predetermined path any number of times while insuringthat the same field of view is presented to each successive film framearea during eachtraverse of the apparatus through that path.

Another object of the invention is to pan and/or tilt a motion pictureapparatus at predetermined difierent speeds during predeterminedportions of the path of movement thereof.

Another object of the invention is to selectively determine any one of alarge number of paths of movement of a motion picture apparatus andthereafter automatically move the apparatus through that predeterminedpath.

Another object is to enable the use of a single motor for panning and/ortilting a motion picture apparatus in apredetermined manner.

Another object of the invention is to enable the same objective lens tobe used for either a camera or a projector while supporting such' cameraor projector for movement about an axis passing through the center ofthe objective lens. Another object of the invention is to remotelycontrol a variable speed transmission device in a predetermined manner.

The invention has particular value in the pro duction of split screentype of composite motion pictures wherein. one component of a scene tobe projected is first photographed while using a mask to mask off acertain area of the image of the scene on the negative film. While adifferent component of the-scene is being photographed on the same or adifferent negative film in a subsequent operation, a mask complementaryto the one previously used is employed to mask off the area of the imageof the second component corresponding to the area already photographed.When the final composite film of the negative film or films-is obtained.the two components of the scene portrayed thereon will appear to havebeen photographed at the same time and will appear to be photographed ofa single unitary scene. This type of photographic operation-enables onecomponent of the scene to be an actual full size or miniature set whilethe other component is a painting or picture.

Heretofore, pictures of the above type have the apparatus, asillustrated in Fig. 2, showing been obtainable only in cases where thecamera has been held stationary during the photographic operation. Thepresent invention enables split screen shots of the above type to bemade during panning and/or tilting of the camera whereby to increase thedramatic effect of the scene being photographed.

The manner in which the above and other objects of the invention areaccomplished will be readily understood on reference to the followingspecification read in conjunction with the accompanying drawingswherein:

Fig. 1 is a front view of the panning and tilting apparatus for panningand/or tilting a mo- 1! tion picture camera or projector inapredetermined path of movement and embodyin the 7 present invention,thisview showing a camera being supported by the apparatus.

Fig. 2 is a side view of the apparatus illustrated in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a side view of the upper part only of Fig. 6 is a sectionalplan view of part of the cable drive and is taken along the line 8-6 ofFig. 4. I

Fig. 7 is, a sectional plan view through the base of the-panning andtilting apparatus and is taken substantially along the line 1-1 of Fig.4. Fig. 8 is a sectional view through one of the cable tensioningadjustments and is taken along the line 8-8 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 9 isa sectional view through the clutch (0 for coupling the controldrum to the motor drive.

Fig. 10 is a sectional view through the main 7 speed transmission andreversing mechanism and is taken along the line Ill-l0 of Fig. 11.

Fig. 11 is a transverse sectional view through the speed transmissionand is taken along the line ll-|i of Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is a transverse sectional view throu h the reversing mechanismand is taken along the line |z of Fig.10.

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary sectional view through the reversing mechanismand is taken along the line "-43 of Fig. 12.

Fig. 14 is a sectional view through one of the speed reduction units fordriving the control drum at a reduced speed and is taken along the linell-ll of. Fig. 7.

Fig. 15 is a sectional plan view through the the control drum and one ofa bank of switches operated thereby.

Fig. 18 is a view, partly in section, of the differential drive and tiltlimit switch mechanism and is taken along the line lC-ll of Fig. 19.

Fig. 19 is a sectional elevational view taken along the line |9i9 ofFig. 18.

Figs. 20 to 24, inclusive, are diagrammatic views of different sectionsclone of the remotely controlled speed change gear transmissions forcontrolling the panning and tilting movement of the apparatus.

Fig. 25 is a sectional view of one bank of manually operated switchesfor controlling the operation of one of the panning and tilting-changespeed transmissions.

Fig. 26 is a transverse sectional view, with parts broken away, throughthe bank of switches illustrated in Fig. 25 and is taken along the line26- 26 of that figure.

Fig. 27 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating the non-positiveoperation of one of the driving or stopping plungers and the discengaged .thereby, incorporated in the panning and tilting change speedtransmissions.

Fig. 28 is a sectional view of the panning change speed transmission andis taken along the line 28-28 of Fig. 7.

Fig. 29 is a rear view of the change speed transmission shown in Fig.28, and is taken along the line 29-29 of that figure.

Fig. 30 is a sectionalview through one of the drive units of the changespeed transmission and is taken along the line 3MB of Fig. 28.

Fig. 31 is a schematic circuit diagram illustrating the relays andcircuit connections therefor for the manual and automatic remote controlof the panningand tilting change speed transmissions.

Fig. 32 is a transverse, sectional view through the cradle and a motionpicture camera supported e y- Y v Fig. 33 is a sectional view" throughpart of the focusing adjustment for a motion picture camera or projectorand is taken along the line 33-33 of Fig.32..

Fig. 34 is a schematicircuit diagram' of the motor system and controlsthYr'efolr,

Fig. 35 is a plan viewyof the'pannlng and tilt.- ing apparatus with aprojector thereonforprojecting a picture on a sensitized surface. 1

Fig. 36 is a sectional elevational view of aprojector supported on thecradle.

Figs. 37 to 4 2, inclusive,"illustrate a method in-, volving the use ofthe apparatus. of this-invention for obtaining a pan shot from aphysical set to a painting. Fig. 37 is a perspective view of thephysical set and camera arranged in front there-p of. Fig. 38 is a frontview of a sensitized sheet of paper having a latent image of the setshown in Fig. 37 impressed thereon; Fig. 39 is a front view of the sheetof Fig. 38 after being developed and with a supplementary painting ordrawing I formed thereon. Figs. 40, 41 and 42 are fragusing theapparatus of this invention. to obtain a composite picture involvingpanning from a full sized set to a miniature set. 43 illustrates a fullsized set and-camera arranged in front thereof for panning movementthereacross. Fig. 44 illustrates a miniature set and camera arranged infront thereof for panning movement thereacross. Figs. 45 and 46 arefragmentary portions of a motion picture film showing photographicimages produced thereon in the course of this method.

Figs. 47 and 48 illustrate a method of using the apparatus of thisinvention for panning and tilting from one full sized set to anotherwhile supplying in a separate step a painting, or the like,supplementary to and conjoining said full sized sets.

Figs. 49 and 50 illustrate a method involving the use of the apparatusof this invention for panning and tilting from a full sized set to aminiature set, or the like.

Figs. 51 and 52 illustrate two different methods of using the apparatusf this invention for obtaining tilt shots without panning.

Figs. 53 to 58, inclusive, illustrate a method involving the use of theapparatus of this invention for obtaining a composite shot whichincludes pan and tilt movement eparately and in combination and whereinthe c posite shot involves afull sized scene involvin action, asupplementary full sized set involvin action, a miniature set involvingaction and painting or drawing supplementing the full sized set.

Figs. 59 to 62 illustrate the use of the apparatus of this invention incombination with a matt movablewith the camera for obtaining doubleexposure shots.

Fig. 63 is a sectional view of-the camera motor adapter and clutch andis taken along the line 63-83 of Fig. 2. v

General assembly the nodal point of emergence of the objective lens 9for either the camera II or the projector l2. Support I 3 is movableabout a vertical pan axis on a base generally indicated at ll, thevertical pan axis also intersecting the nodal point of emergence of thelens 9. The cradle ill and support ll comprise a power head formovablysupporting the camera ll or'projector l2.

A pan shaft ii for causing a panning movement of the apparatusand a tiltshaft l6 for causing a tilting movement of the apparatus in a mannerdescribed hereinafter are driven through change speed transmissions l1and I8, respectively, by a single motor l9.

A control drum 20, rotatably mounted in the base H, is also driven bythe motor l9 at a constant speed and has an array of holes therein intowhich pins are adapted to be set in a predetermined order depending onthe particular V the end of a tumbler lever 4|.

various pins, as at 2I (Fig. 4) operate a bank of switches generallyindicated at 22 (Fig. 1'1) which The motor I9 is supported upon theiloor 23 1 (Fig. '1) of the base I4 and is adapted to be stopped againstrotation by a brake, generally indicated at 24, of the electro-magnetictype,

well known in the art, which brakes the motor I9 when no current ispassed through the energizing coil thereof. The motor I9 drives atransversely extending spindle 25 through a pair of spiral gears 28.Spindle 25 is joumalled in a bearing 25' mounted on a bracket extendingfrom the floor 23 and is also joumalled in bearings 21 and 28 formed inthe walls of a combined speed change and reversing mechanism, generallyindicated at 29, (Figs. 10 to 13, inclusive). Mechanism 29 is mountedon'the floor 23 of base I4. A hand wheel 39 (Fig. 'l) is provided ontheend of spindle 25 to enable manual rotation of spindle 25 whendesired.

Referring to Figs. 10 and 11, a gear 3| fixed on spindle 25 meshes witha similar gear 32 secured on a counter shaft 33, journalled in bearingsformed in the casing 53 of the change speed mechanism 29. Shaft 33 hassecured thereon a bearing as provided in the wall of the housing 54. Agear 89 secured on shaft 51 within the housing 54 remains in constantmesh-with a pair of idler gears 8| and 82 joumalled on stub shafts 83and 54, respectively, provided on the forked ends of a reversing lever85. Lever 85 is joumalled, on annular shoulder 58 (Figs. 10 and 13)extending outwardly from the wall of housing 53 to form a bearing whichsurrounds the shaft 51. The lever 85 extendsthrough an aperture 68formed in the top wall of housing 54 and has a handle 19 securedthereto, similar to that of 45, for shifting the lever 85 back andforth.

Handle 19 has a spring pressed plunger 1| 5 therein adapted to fit intoeither of a pair of number of drive gears 34, 35,38, 31 and 38 ofprogressively increasing diameters, any of which is adapted to mesh witha tumbler gear 39 rotatably mounted on a stub shaft 49 mounted on Lever-4| is journalled on a gear sleeve 42,'slidably keyed at 42' to a shaft43, and having formed thereon a gear 44 in constant mesh with thetumbler gear 39. A handle 45 forming part of the tumbler lever 4|extends through an opening 53 of the casing with any of the variousdrive gears 34 to 38, in-

clusive, whereby to drive the shaft 43 at different speeds.

The handle 45 comprises a plunger 41 (Fig. 11) pressed inwardly by acompression spring 48 into one of a series of apertures 49 formed in theouter wall of casing 53. An outer sleeve 59 is secured to the end ofplunger 41 to cause the same to be retracted when the sleeve 59 is drawnoutwardly. By retracting the sleeve 59 and moving the handle 45sideways, the gear sleeve .42 may be slid longitudinally along the shaft43 to align and mesh the tumbler gear 39 with any desired one of thedrive gears 34 to 38, inclusive, to thereby drive the apparatus at adesired speed.

The plunger 48 is then allowed to be pressed inwardly by the spring 48into a corresponding one of the apertures 49 to lock the tumbler gear 39in mesh with the corresponding drive gear.

Referring now to Figs. 10, 12 and 13, the shaft 43 is joumalled inbearings 5I and 52 provided in the opposite walls of casing 53 andextends into a reversing gear housing 54 suitably secured to thetransmission housing 53. A drive gear 55 holes 12 and 13 (Fig. 12). Whenthe handle 19 is moved-into the position shown in Fig. 12 to engageplunger H with hole 12, the idler gear II will be brought into mesh withthe drive gear to transmit rotation to the shaft 51 in a forwarddirection- When the handle 19 is moved to the right to engage theplunger 1| in 'thehole 13, the idler gear 82 will be brought into meshwith the idler gear 59. Due to the fact that the gear train is nowincreased by one, the shaft 51 will be rotated in a reverse direction.In the .reverse Position of the lever 85, the handle 19 engages andcloses the contacts of a switch 14, the operation of which will bedescribed hereinafter.

Control drum drive The drive shaft 51 extends through a gear box 15,also mounted on the floor 23 of the base I4, and is joumalled inbearings 16 and 11 formed in the casing of a speed eduction unitgenerally indicated at 18 (Figs. '1, 14 and 15) for driving the controldrum 29 at a reduced speed. A worm 89 fixed on the shaft 51in the casingof unit 18 meshes with a worm wheel 8| fixed on the lower end ,of avertical stub shaft 82 journailed in bearings 83 and 84 formed in thetop and bottom walls, respectively, of the casing. A worm 85, also fixedto the vertical shaft 82, meshes with a worm wheel 85 fixed on ahorizontal shaft 81 which is joumalled in bearings 88 and 89 of thecasing. The casing of the speed reduction unit 18 is supported from thefloor 23.

Referring to Figs. 7 and 9, the shaft 81 extends outside of the unit 18and is journaled in}; bearing formed in a driven clutch member I92. Aclutch member 99 is slidably keyed at 9I to the shaft 81 for movementlongitudinally therealong bifurcated clutch shifting lever 94. Lever 94is secured on the end of shaft 43 within the housing pivotally mountedon a vertical shaft 95 extending from a bracket 99 (Fig. 2) projectingfrom the floor 23 and isprovided with a handl 95 whereby the clutchplate 99 may be moved longitudinally along the shaft 81 against theaction of a compression spring 91, one end of which abuts a sleeve 98fixed to shaft 81. Clutch plate 99 has a single pin I99 extendingtherefrom and en-' gageable in an aperture !9I formed in the drivenclutch plate I92. Clutch plate I92 is fixed to theend of a stub shaftI93 joumalled in a bearing the hubs H9 and III of drum 29 securedthereto.

When the handle 35 is moved counter-clock- ..wise to disengage the pin Ifrom the aperture IOI in the driven clutch plate I02, the control drum20 is free to be rotated independently of the motor drive therefor toenable the various pins 2| iobe. set or removed. A hand wheel II2secured to the drum shaft I01 is provided for this purpose.

The drum 20 is normally covered for protection by means 01' a cover I I3hinged to the base I4 at H4 and H5 (Figs. land 2) and normally securedin closed position by suitable locking screws Hi. When it is desired tochange the variouspins 2I (Figs. 4 and 17) the cover II3 may be removedfrom its closed position enabling access to the surface of the controldrum 20.

Control drum and switches controlled thereby for the purpose ofcontrolling the panning movement of the apparatus. The tilting group I2Iis divided into two sub-groups of holes; one subgroup I23 forcontrolling the tilting movement upwardly, and the other sub-group I24for controlling the tilting movement of the apparatus downwardly.Likewise, the panning group I22 is divided into two sub-groups, onesub-group I25 for controlling the leftward panning movement of theapparatus, and the other sub-group I26 for' controlling th rightwardpanning movement of the apparatus.

Each of the sub-groups of holes I23, I24, I25 and I26 is divided intofive sets of pairs as at I28A, I268, I26C, etc.,. each of these pairbeing aligned in a circumferential extending column for controlling themovement of the apparatus in a particular direction and at a particularspeed which is noted (as at I21) directly above each pair. The speednotations are calibrated in degrees of turning movement of the apparatus(about the pan or tilt axis) per foot of film traversed through thecamera or projector, assuming that the change speed mechanism 29 is setfor a certain standard speed. Thus, the column of holes I26A enablescontrol (when pins are provided therein) of a certain driving mechanismor unit A (to be described hereinafter) in vals for the purpose ofmanual control of the apparatus in a manner described hereinafter.

A pin, when placed in a right hand hold in one of the circumferentialcolumns I26A, 125B, etc. of holes, causes (when this pin closes therespective one of the bank of switches 22) the respective drive unit A,B, etc., to be energized to start the apparatus in the correspondingdirec tion and at the corresponding speed noted at I21 for thisparticular column.

Likewise, a pin, when placed in a lefthand hole in one or thecircumferential columns I26A, I263, etc. of holes, causes (when this pincloses the respective one of the bank of switches 22) the respectivedrive unit A, B, etc., to be disengaged, assuming that this respectiveunit has been previously energized, thereby discontinuing movement ofthe apparatus in that particular direction and at that particular speed.

Referring to Figs. 4, 1'7 and 31, one of the bank of switches 22 isprovided in alignment with a different one of the circumferentiallyextending rows of holes in drum 20. Each of these switches the speedtransmission unit I1 to pan the camera or projector leftwardly, at arate of speed of for each foot of film, about the vertical pan axis.Likewise, for example, the column of holes I25L enables control of thedriving unitL to tilt the apparatus upwardly at a tilting speed of perfoot of film about the horizontal tilt axis. Similarly, for example, thecolumn of holes I26R enables control of the driving unit R to tilt theapparatus downwardly at a tilting speed of 36 per foot of film.

A circumferential row of permanently positioned pins I30 are positionedaround the "circumference of the drum 20 and in alignment with thevarious horizontal rows I20 of holes therein to intermittently operate aswitch 22X, in the nisms I1 and I8, respectively.

journalled at one end thereof in bearings I48 bank of aligned switches22, at equi-timed intercomprises a flexible but stationary contactspring arm I33 and a flexible movable contact spring arm I34 separatedby an insulated spacer I35 and secured by a screw I 36 to an insulatedblock I31, which is secured bya screw I38 to the fioor 23. Screw I38,however, does not contact the spring arm I33. The contact points I40 ofthe contact arms I33 and I34 are normally apart but are moved intocontact to close a circuit between justed, adjusts the position of therespective one of the contact points I40. From the above, it will bereadily understood that as the drum 20 is rotated, different ones of thealigned switches in the bank 22 will be momentarily closed in apredetermined-order accordin to the positioning of the various pins (2|)in the array of holes in drum 20.

The spacing of the various horizontal rows I20 of holes and thearrangement of the gear train forrotating drum 20 are such that drum 20is rotated a distance equal to the spacing between two successive rows I20 of holes for each foot of film traversed when mechanism '29 is setfor the hereinbefore described standard speed. Thus it will be seen thatdifferent ones of switches 22 may be operated at the end of each foot oftravel of the film or at the end of a film travel equal to a multiple ofone foot.

Panning and tilting drive Referring in particular to Figs. 4, 7 and 16,the gear box 15 has a spiral gear I45 therein secured on the drive shaft51 which meshes with a similar spiral gear I46 secured on a shaft I41for driving both the panning and tilting mecha- Shaft I41 is and I49formed in the casing of the gear box 15 and is journalled at the otherend in bearings I50 and I5I formed in the casing I52 of a gear reductionunit I52, supported from the floor 23. The end I53 of shaft I41 has asquare shank formed therein whereby it may be rotated manually by asuitable crank (not shown) i the base I4 co-axial with shaft I41.

manually as well as by the motorv I9.

A worm I55 (Fig. 16) is secured on the shaft I41 within the casing I52and meshes with a worm wheel I56 secured ona shaft I51 journalled inbearings provided in the casing I62. A spiral gear I58 is secured on theend of shaft I51, extending outside of the casing I52, and meshes with asimilar gear I68 secured on a shaft I6I journalled in outboard bearingsI62 and. I63 secured on the face of the gear casing I52. Shaft I6I isjournalled at the other end thereof in a bearing 'I64 supported by thecasings I65 and I66 of the change speed transmissions I1 and I8,respectively. A gear I61 secured on shaft I6I meshes with gears I68 andI18 secured on the ends of drive shafts HI and- I12, respectively,forming the driving means for the change speed mechanisms I1 and I8, re-

spectively. Panning and. tilting change speed mechanisms The changespeed mechanisms I1 and I8 are identical with each other and, for thesake of vbrevity, only one (I1) will be described indetail.

Referring to Figs. 28, 29 and 30, shaft I1I is journalled in bearingsI13 and I14 formed in the end walls of the casing I65 and has a set ofdrive gears I15, I16, I11, I18, and I19 of pro-" gressively increasingpitch diameters secured in spaced relation with each other thereon;These gears mesh with driven gears I15a, "Ba, "10., "Ba and I19a,respectively, forming part of individual upper drive members or units A,B, C, D and E, respectively. These various units are all independentlyjournalled on an upper shaft clusive, are identical with each other andtherefore only one (the one E connected to gear I19a) will be describedin detail.

Referring to Figs. 2a and so, the drive unit E comprises an annular drumI81 journalled on the shaft I8I and secured by screws I88 to therespective gear Him. The drum I81 has a pro- .jection I98 (Fig. 30)thereon forming a cup or socket I9I therein to receive the energizingcoil I92 of a solenoid assembly. A cap member I93 threadably secured inthe cup I9I holds the coil I92 in place and has a sliding bearingaperture formed centrally therein to receive and slidably guide aplunger 095E. Plunger I95E is threadably secured to a cup shapedarmature I99 at one end thereof. Armature I99 is slidably fitted in abearing I96 formed in the drum I81 and is movable against the action ofa compression spring I91 interposed between armature I99 and the drumI81, on energization of the coil I92, to-rnove the plunger I95E towardthe right; A disc ISBE secured to the shaft, I8I directly adjacent thegear I19a has an aperture 288E formed therein which is adapted to beengaged by the plunger I95E when moved to the right on energization ofcoil I92, thereby'coupling the gear I'Hla to shaft I8I to drive thesame.

'A-ring 28I of insulating material is securely fitted on the peripheryof the drum I81 and has a pair of spaced conductor slip rings 282 and283 secured in circumferential grooves formed therein. Conductors 284and 285 connect the slip rings 282 and 283 to the opposite ends of theenergizing 011 I92.

tively, secured in a terminal block 2"] of insulating material. Terminalblock 2I8 is fitted in a socket formed in the top wall of the casingI65. Brushes 286 and 281 are resiliently urged against the slip rings282 and 283, respectively,

by springs provided in the quill bearings 288 and 289 and areelectrically connected to conductors 2H and 2I2 by screws 2I3 and 2I4,respectively. Preferably a flexible conductor (not shown) is connectedbetween each of the brushes 286 and 281 and its respective one of thescrews 2I3' and 2I4, to insure a good electrical connection between thebrushes and their respective conductors 2| I and H2. Thus, when acurrent is passed through the conductors 2H and 212 the solenoidassembly on drum I81 will be engaged to urge the" plunger I95E againstthe side of" disc IHBE and to cause the plunger to engage the aperture288E when this plunger is moved into alignment with that aperture.

The conductors 2H and 2I2 are provided in a circuit controlled by one ofthe bank of switches 22 in a manner described hereinafter whereby tocause the gear I19a (driven at a particular speed determined by theratio between gears I19 and H911) to be coupled to the disc I98E andthus drive shaft I8I.

The various units A, B, C and D although identical with the abovementioned unit E, are adapted, when energized, to rotate the shaft I8Iin the same-direction but at different speeds due to the differentratios between the constantly rotating gears I15, I16, I11, I18, I19,and the gears I15a, I16a, I11a, I18a, I19a, respectively. Likewise, thelower units F, G, H, J and K are also identical with the unit E to drivethe shaft I84 in the same direction (and in the same direction as shaftI8I) but at different speeds, which speeds, incidentally, are the .baseI4 by bolts 2I1.

same as the individual speeds of the respective units directly abovethese lower units. The manner in which these various drive units arecontrolled by the control drum 28 will be described hereinafter.

Panning drive Referring to Figs. 1, 2 and 4, the support I3 comprises acircular base 2I5 rotatably supported on a circular table 2I6 secured tothe A race of ball thrust bearings 2I8 concentric with table 2I6rotatably supports the base 2I5 on top of table 2I6. A circular skirt228 extending over the race of ball bearings 2I8 lies in juxtapositionwith a flat surface 22I formed on the table member 2i 6. A continuousband of felt 222, 'or the like, forming a sealing member to prevent theentrance of dirt, dust, or the like, into the ball bearings 2I8 issecured in a continuous channel formed in the bottom of the skirt 228and rides in engagement with the flat surface 22I.

The remainder of the support I3 comprises

